Drying day in store as mercury rises ahead of Sandown's big night

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said on Wednesday evening the sprint course in use for the Better Odds at Matchbook National Stakes continues to be a fraction slower than the round course.

Cooper gave the ground as generally good on Wednesday morning but added good to soft in places for the sprint strip.

"Walking it first thing this morning the round course was good and the sprint course has just been a bit slower all week so I left it good to soft in places," said Cooper.

"It has produced some slightly low GoingStick readings which is indicative of the rain we got last week but walking it you wouldn’t call it anything other than good."

Temperatures are forecast to peak at 24C and will not drop appreciably throughout the card.

"Thursday looks another warm day and we would anticipate things drying, though no quicker than good, good to firm in places," said Cooper.